The Cub Scout  advancement plan encourages young boys through recognition. The boys are rewarded  by earning badges or pins as they complete various tasks. These tasks are structured as fun activities completed with their fellow scouts under the guidance of their  den leader or at home with the scout's adult family members. The following is a list of requirements for each rank:

Tiger Cub. The Tiger Cub program is for first-grade (or age 7) boys and their adult partners. The program is built around seventeen different program themes, called "big ideas." Weekly activities are home-centered with the family using the big ideas. There are no requirements in Tiger Cubs other than having fun!

Bobcat. The Bobcat rank is provided as an introduction to scouting and is required of all boys who join Cub Scouting. The following eight steps to earning this rank are completed by the scout with his family and den.

1. Learn and say the Cub Scout Promise
2. Say the Law of the Pack. Tell what it means.
3. Tell what WeBelos Means.
4. Show the Cub Scout Sign. Tell what it means.
5. Show the Cub Scout handshake. Tell what it means.
6. Say the Cub Scout Motto.
7. Give the Cub Scout Salute. Tell what it means.
8. With you parent or Guardian complete the exercises in the booklet How to  Protect Your Child From Sexual Abuse.

Wolf. The Wolf program is for boys who have completed first grade (or are age 8). The Wolf rank is for boys entering the second grade or who are seven years of  age. Once they have completed the Bobcat requirements, they can began to work towards their Wolf badge. Earning this rank entails completing 12 achievements consisting of simple mental and physical skills. Additional arrow point badges can be earned through the elective program once the Wolf achievements are complete.

Bear. The Bear rank is for boys who are entering third grade or who are nine years of age. There are 24 Bear achievements of which 12 must be earned to obtain the Bear badge. These requirements are slightly more challenging than those for Wolf rank. Once the Bear badge is earned, additional achievements completed apply toward Arrow point badges.

Webelos.  The Webelos program is for boys entering fourth grade or who are ten years  of age. This program spans over two years, leading to a transition into Boy Scouts towards the end of the second year. The boys complete achievments as  outlined in the Webelos book, and are rewarded with activity pins. After three pins, they earn the Webelos badge, after 7 pins, they earn the Compass badge.  With at least 8 pins and some additional requirements, the boy will earn the highest of the Cub Scout awards, the Arrow of Light. At this point they are ready to "cross over" into the Boy Scouting program.